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The original documents are located in Box 56, folder "Privacy - Domestic Council
Committee (2)" of the Philip Buchen Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 56 of the Philip Buchen Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
DOMESTIC COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHT OF PRIVACY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20504
August 29, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR
Department and Agency Liaison Representatives
Domestic Council Committee on the Right of Privacy
Subject:
Confirmation of Sixth Meeting
Friday, September 6, 1974
Vice President's Conference Room - Room 275
Old Executive Office Building
Washington, D. C.
The next meeting of Liaison Representatives has been changed
from September 5 to Friday, September 6, 1974.
The agenda for the meeting is attached. Each agency having
responsibilities for (1) implementation of privacy initiatives Number 1
through 14 (see attached Fact Sheet) and (2) for old and new projects
should be prepared to present progress reports.
Acting Executive Director
Attachments
DWM/crs
LIBRARY GENALD R. FORD
PROPOSED AGENDA
Sixth Meeting
of
Department and Agency Liaison Representatives and Alternates
Domestic Council Committee on the Right of Privacy
Vice President's Conference Room - - Room 275
Old Executive Office Building
Washington, D. C.
10:00 a. m. - September 6, 1974
1.
Report on the Status of Pending Privacy Legislation
Discussion of proposed Executive Order
concerning Rights of Individuals with
Respect to Records Maintained About
Them by Federal Agencies
2.
Agency Reports on Progress in Implementation of Privacy
Initiatives
3.
Progress Reports on New Projects
4.
Next Steps
Summary of responsibilities
Time and place of next meeting
PAGE SHEET
DOLD STIC COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHT OF PRIVACY
FOR RELEASE JULY 31, 1974
CONTACT: Douglas Metz 39.3054
EMBERSHIP
Chairman:
Vice President Gerald R. Ford
Members:
Secretary of the Treasury William E. Simon
Secretary of Defense James R. Schlesinger
Secretary of Commerce Frederick B. Dent
LIBRARY GERALD ? 1040
Secretary of Labor Peter Brennan
Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare,
Caspar W. Weinberger
the Attorney General William B. Saxbe
Director, Office of Management and Budget, Roy L. Ask
Director, Office of Telecommunications Policy,
Clay T. Whitehead
Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Robert E. Hampton
Director, Office of Consumer Affairs, Mrs. Virginia Knauer
Staff Directors: Executive Director of the Committee, Philip W. Buchen
Deputy Executive Director, Douglas W. Metz
COMMITTEE FUNCTIONS:
The Committee, chaired by the Vice Fresident, was established
February 23, 1974, by President Richard M. Nixon, in a radio address to the
nation on the right to privacy. It was charged with responsibility for recommending
at the earliest possible time measures which can be taken to ensure that the
individual's right to privacy is protected. The Vice President appointed Philip Buchen
Executive Director of the Committee on March 15, 1974, followed by formation of
a small staff which in April initiated projects for immediate attention. The projects
represented areas in which action was urgently needed and where possibilities
were good for implementation this year.
Interagency task forces, individuals and groups outside the Federal govern-
ment, Members of Congress and Congressional Committee staffs are contributing
to the staff efforts. Not involved are the subjects of wiretapping and electronic
surveillance, because they are under study by the Congressionally created National
Commission for Review of Federal and State Laws relating to the two subjects as
authorized by Title Ш of the Omnibus Crime Control Act of 1968.
- 2
The Domestic Council Committee on the Right of Privacy on July 10, 1974,
considered 14 privacy initiatives for immediate action. The initiatives encompass a
wide range of subjects including legislative prohibitions of military surveiliance of
civilian political activities, greater protections for personal bank account records
against disclosures to government agents, tighter safeguards against unauthorized
disclosure of IRS taxpayer returns, and provision for building in privacy safeguards
in Federal computer and communications systems.
Although several initiatives impacting the private sector are proposed, most
of the initiatives reflect the Committee's view that its initial privacy initiatives should
focus on the Federal government The Committee believes that Federal example and
experience in this complex field should precede Federal directives to the non-Federal
governmental and private sectors.
A significant example of this approach is reflected in draft legislation developed
by the Office of Management and Budget in consultation with the Privacy Committee
staff and transmitted to the Congress on June 19, 1974. This bill will require Federal
agencies maintaining record-keeping systems containing personal information to give
the individual the rights to know, challenge and amend information about him in Federal
agency files. The bill exempts national defense and foreign policy, law enforcement,
and certain Federal employee files on the grounds that these complex subjects merit
special attention through separate legislation.
This approach is being adopted at the State level where broad initial legislation
(enacted in Minnesota; pending in California) has been restricted to the government
sector record-keeping systems.
SUMMARY OF PRIVACY INITIATIVES ENDORSED BY THE COMMITTEE
Initiative No. 1 -- Federal Data Processing and Data Communications Systems
Procurement
This initiative is designed to establish practices and procedures within Executive
Departments and agencies that will ensure systematic consideration of personal privacy
rights in planning and use of Federal data processing and communications systems.
1
LISARAY GERALD 1086
- 3 -
It is recommended that agencies prepare privacy safeguard plans for data
processing or communications systems containing personal data before starting the
design and procurement of such systems; that all existing systems be subject to a
review of their privacy protections.
Initiative No. 2 -- Computer System and Network Security
This initiative is designed to continue development of standards and guidelines
begun by the National Bureau of Standards to safeguard the integrity and confidentiality
of personal information in computer systems and networks.
It is recommended that the National Bureau of Standards accelerate the
development of standards for safeguarding the security and confidentiality of personal
information in computer systems, and to make such standards applicable to Federal
systems.
Initiative No. 3-- Consumer Transactions
This initiative is designed to provide further Federal leadership in protecting
consumer rights of privacy in the marketplace.
It is recommended that the Office of Consumer Affairs propose a Declaration
of Individual Rights of Privacy in Consumer Transactions. This would establish
principles for protecting the privacy of personal information about consumers gathered
in connection with consumer transactions. Businesses would be asked to subscribe
voluntarily to a Code of Fair Information Practices which would protect the privacy
rights of consumers.
Initiative No. 4-- -- Cable Television Systems
This initiative is designed to safeguard consumer and personal privacy in
cable television systems.
It is recommended that support be given to the privacy provisions of the
proposed Cable Communications Act of 1974 which would prohibit cable operators
from disclosing personally identifiable information about cable subscribers without
a court order.
=
FORD
10
LIBRARY
- 4 -
Initiative No. 5 -- Federal Mail Lists
This initiative is designed to ease concern over privacv invasions that
could result from the use of Federal mail lists for other than official uses of
the Federal government.
It is recommended that pending a full review of Federal mail list policy,
any individual on a mail list maintained by a Federal agency be given the right on
future government forms to exclude his name from lists made available for
dissemination outside the Federal government.
Initiative No. 6 -- IRS Taxpayer Data
This initiative is designed to further assure confidentiality and security of
data furnished the Internal Revenue Service by the taxpayer.
It is recommended that the IRS be encouraged in its efforts to improve
security and confidentiality protections for taxpayer data and to develop comprehensive
new legislation placing greater restrictions on access to tax returns.
Initiative No. 7 -- Notice of Rights of Data Subjects
This initiative is designed to assure that Federal agencies explain to an
individual why he is being asked for information about himself or others.
It is recommended that the Office of Management and Budget require each
Executive agency to have procedures which will assure that people are not asked
questions about themselves or others without first being told clearly whether they
are legally required to answer and what uses will be made of the answers they give.
Initiative No. 8 -- Electronic Funds Transfer Systems
This initiative is designed to help prepare for privacy safeguards which may
be needed in the so-called "checkless-cashless society. "
It is recommended that Federal agencies concerned with this area be requested
to undertake special studies of the potential impact on personal privacy of electronic
funds transfer systems for handling consumer financial transactions.
1
LIBRARY GERALD ? FORD
- 5 -
Initiative No. 9 -- Individual Access to Federal Records
This initiative is designed to establish an individual's right of access to
Federal records containing information about himself.
It is recommended that endorsement be given to the principles embodied
in the OMB draft bill requiring each Federal agency to permit individuals to
inspect records about themselves and correct or amend inaccurate information,
with some exemptions for records relating to national defense and law enforcement
investigations.
Initiative No. 10 -- Military Surveillance of Political Activities
This initiative is designed to prevent military surveillance of civilians.
It is recommended that an acceptable revision of S. 2318 be enacted
prohibiting military surveillance of civilian political activity, and providing
penalties and remedies for violations.
Initiative No. 11 -- Federal Employees' Rights
This initiative is designed to encourage legislation to protect the privacy
of civilian employees of the Executive Branch of the Federal government.
It is recommended that the Civil Service Commission prepare, as soon
as possible, proposed legislation or executive orders which would protect the
privacy of civilian employees of the Executive Branch.
Initiative No. 12 -- Parent/Student Access to Education Records
This initiative is designed to provide a Federal policy that would protect
the basic privacy rights of parents and students with respect to school records,
as reflected in the Buckley Amendments to the Elementary and Secondary
Education Authorization Bill.
It is recommended that support be given to legislation embodying principles
which assure rights of access to school records for students and parents, provide
appropriate safeguards against disclosure of such records to third parties, and
take into account the privacy rights of individuals furnishing evaluation information
to admissions offices of educational institutions.
GERALU
LIBRARY
- 6 -
Initiative No. 13 -- Individuals' Financial Records Maintained by Banks
This initiative is designed to protect the confidentiality of records that
financial institutions maintain about consumers, and to protect legitimate interests
of the government in such records.
It is recommended that support be given to the basic concepts of legislation
now proposed which would prohibit Federal agencies and State and local governments
from obtaining information in records on the customers of financial institutions,
unless under a court order or subpoena, an administrative summons, or unless
the customer authorizes such a disclosure.
Initiative No. 14 -- Fair Credit Reporting Act
This initiative is designed to broaden the privacy protections in the Fair
Credit Reporting Act.
It is recommended that legislation be supported to amend the Fair Credit
Reporting Act to require that the consumer be notified of any consumer-reporting
file established on him (except one resulting from his own credit application); to
require that the consumer have access to the information in a consumer-reporting
file about him and the right to challenge its accuracy; to require that the consumer
be notified of adverse action taken by virtue of credit or investigative reports
about him; to require that the consumer authorize, in writing, investigative
reports about him; and to require that the consumer authorize in writing collection
of potentially sensitive medical information about him.
*
The Committee was not asked to take action on legislation to control
criminal justice information, because a recent Committee Revision of S. 2963
is under active review by a newly formed Privacy Committee of the Justice
Department.
The Committee, at its next meeting, probably in September, will consider
additional privacy initiatives resulting from projects underway concerned with
Social Security Number policy and safeguards for statistical and research information.
FORD
LIBRARY
- 7 -
New projects are being launched concerned with privacy protections for employment
records and health records and with ways to restrain or control more effectively
the gathering of personal information by Federal agencies.
The implementation of the privacy initiatives will involve follow-through
with the Conference of Governors and Mayors and other intergovernmental
organizations and, as appropriate, with groups in the private sector.
- 30 -
STATES FORD
Privacy Committee meeting
9/6/74 ---- 10 a, m.
Vice President's Conference Room -- 275
EOB
Will you plan to attend?
Yes, f at all possible
FORD : LIBRARY
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Mr. Buchen
#
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON, DC 20405
&
GENERAL SERVICES
* ADMINISTRATION
*
SEP 4 1974
Mr. Douglas W. Metz
Acting Executive Director
Domestic Council Committee on
the Right of Privacy
1800 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20504
Dear Mr. Metz:
GSA is planning to issue a Federal Management Circular on
Privacy in Automated Personal Data Systems, a draft copy
of which is enclosed. The circular would establish interim
policy guidance concerning privacy and related security issues
involved in the planning, acquisition, and utilization of
automatic data processing systems for personal data record-
keeping, and is intended to fill the current policy void
pending guidance through future legislation or Domestic
Council Committee on the Right of Privacy action.
I want to assure you that I do not intend to take any action
that would conflict with or detract from the work of the
Domestic Council Committee. As you know, members of my staff
are working closely with the committee on projects 4, 7 and 8.
However, since my testimony before the Government Operations
Subcommittee on Privacy and the Judiciary Subcommittee on
Constitutional Rights last June, I have become increasingly
concerned that delay in dealing with the privacy issues
involved in planning, acquisition, and utilization of ADP
will have a detrimental effect on mission operations in the
Federal government. In addition, several agencies have
expressed the need for interim policy.
Therefore, I directed the Office of Federal Management Policy
to develop a Federal Management Circular to assist Federal
agencies in determining the minimum safeguards that should
be considered to assure privacy of personal data in ADP
systems. The circular places the responsibility in the heads
of agencies and provides a point of departure for them to
develop their own programs, until such time as definitive
guidelines are available as a result of the extensive effort
of the Domestic Committee or the enactment of legislation.
CERALLO FORD LIBRABLE
Keep Freedom in Your Future With U.S. Savings Bonds
2
The circular is provided for your information and review.
I would appreciate any comments or suggestions you may
have with regard to its suitability as interim policy in
the privacy area, and the adequacy of the guidelines for
agencies to follow in developing internal procedures.
Sincerely,
Arthur F. Sampson
Administrator
Enclosure
FORD & LIBRAR
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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
GSA/OFMP
OFFICE OF FEDERAL MANAGEMENT POLICY
FEDERAL MANAGEMENT CIRCULAR
FMC 74 - : Privacy in Automated Personal Data Systems
To: Heads of Executive Departments and Establishments
1. Purpose. This circular establishes interim policy guidance
concerning privacy and related security issues involved in the
planning, acquisition, and utilization of automatic data processing
systems for personal data record keeping.
2. Background. Currently the question of individual privacy in
automated personal data systems is being addressed by the
Congress and by the Domestic Council Committee on the Right
of Privacy. Action is pending in both the House and the Senate
on several privacy bills, and in the Domestic Council Committee
on executive branch policy. Until legislation is enacted or
definitive policy guidelines issued as a result of these efforts,
the initiative and the responsibility to take action to assure
that privacy issues are given proper consideration in the planning,
acquisition and utilization of automated data processing resides
with the agencies.
3. Policy intent. This circular is intended to provide interim
policy guidance pending legislative or Domestic Council Committee
VORD
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GSA/OFMP
2
action to assist Federal agencies in determining the minimum
safeguards that should be considered to assure privacy of
personal data in automatic data processing systems.
4. Applicability and scope.
a. Applicability. The provisions of this circular are
applicable to all Federal agencies (as defined in FMC 73-1)
having organizations which are involved in the planning, acqui-
sition, and utilization of automated data processing for personal
data record-keeping, regardless of whether such automatic data
processing capability is provided internally or by commercial
sources.
b. Exemptions. There are no specific exemptions to the
provisions of this circular. Federal agencies should, to the
extent possible, apply the safeguards outlined below to all
automated personal data systems. Recognizing that under exceptional
circumstances, compliance may not be in the best interests of
the Government, the Heads of Federal agencies may selectively
exempt automated personal data systems or information contained
therein from all or part of the provisions of this circular.
5. Definitions.
a. "Automated Personal Data System" is a collection of
records containing personal data that can be associated with
identifiable individuals, and processed by automatic data
processing equipment.
is
FORD
GERALD
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3
8/22/74
DRAFT
GSA/OFMP
b. "Personal data" includes all data that can be associated
with identifiable individuals through some specific identification
such as name, address, social security number, or other identifying
characteristics.
C. "Privacy" concerns the disposition of information about
individuals including what information should be collected, how
it should be used, under what circumstances it should be disclosed,
and the degree of control the individual has over information about
him. It is independent of the technological and physical
safeguards required for security.
d. "Security" is the prevention of access to, or use of,
data without authorization and involves the use of technological
and physical safeguards to provide protection.
6. Policies and Procedures.
a. Policy. The planning, acquisition, and utilization of
automated data processing systems for personal data record-
keeping by Federal agencies should be governed by five basic
principles.
(1) The existence of automated personal data systems
should not be kept secret.
(2) An individual should be able to find out
what information about him is in an automated personal data
system and how it is used.
(3) Information about an individual that was obtained R.
for one purpose should not be used or made available for other American
GE
purposes without his consent.
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4
GSA/OFMP
(4) An individual should be able to correct or amend
a record of identifiable information about him.
(5) Any organization creating, maintaining, using, or
disseminating automated personal data in identifiable form should
assure the reliability of data for their intended use and should
take reasonable precautions to prevent misuse of the data.
b. Procedures. Federal agencies involved in the planning,
acquisition, and utilization of automated personal data systems
should, to the extent required, develop specific administrative
procedures to implement this policy and assure that privacy and
related security issues are addressed from the planning stage
through the acquisition and utilization of the ADP system.
The following are suggested guidelines for developing these
procedures:
(1) General. Agency procedures for assuring privacy of
data in the planning, acquisition, and utilization of automated
personal data systems should include provisions for:
(a) Conducting a review of privacy and related
security issues at appropriate points in the planning, acquisition,
and utilization of an ADP system;
(b) Assuring that adequate procedural and facilities
safeguards have been included in the system;
(c) Assuring that only essential information about
individuals is included in the system;
(d) Identifying an individual to be responsible for
automated personal data systems and adherence to safeguards;
(e) Creating a privacy conscious environment through
DRAFT
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GSA/OFMP
5
an education program stressing the responsibilities of employees;
(f) Estabishing criteria for the transfer or dis-
closure of personal data within and outside the agency;
(g) Maintaining an accurate accounting of each dis-
closure of information made to any person outside the agency or
to another agency; and
(h) Maintaining the information in the automated
personal data system with such accuracy, completeness, timeliness,
and pertinence as is necessary to assure fairness in determinations
(2) Public notice. Agency procedures should include
provisions for annually publishing in the Federal Register notices
of the existence and character of all automated personal data
systems. In addition, agency plans to establish new automated
personal data systems, or modify existing systems, should be
published in the Federal Register at least 90 days in advance
to assure those that may be affected a reasonable period to
comment. The following are suggested items to be included in such
notices:
(a) the name of the system;
(b) the nature and purposes of the system;
(c) the categories and approximate numbers of
individuals about whom information is (to be) maintained;
(d) the categories of information (to be) maintained;
(e) the policies and practices of the agencies
regarding collection, storage, and disposition of information in
2.
automated personal data systems;
FORD
RIVE
FORD
(f) a description of the purposes for nich
a
or
any part of the information contained in the automated personal
DRAFT
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GSA/OFMP
6
data system is used or is intended to be used or disclosed
including categories of users for each purpose;
(g) the title and address of the individual
responsible for the system; and
(h) the procedures whereby an individual can
determine if the system contains information pertaining to him,
gain access to such information, and contest its content including
the need for such information.
(3) Individual rights. Agency procedures should include
provisions for:
(a) informing an individual, when information is
requested, if he is legally required to supply it, and how
the information will be used or disclosed.
(b) informing the individual, upon request, if he
is the subject of an automated personal data system;
(c) permitting the individual to inspect the
information, and have a copy made of it at a reasonable cost;
(d) permitting the individual to contest the content
of information including the need for such information, and
request amendment;
(e) informing the individual, when the agency
determines not to amend the information, what the appeal process
is, and assuring that the individual's claim is included in the
record, in subsequent disclosures, and made available, upon
request of the individual, to previous recipients of personal
data about the individual; and
(f) obtaining consent of the individual if
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8/22/74
7
GSA/OFMP
information is to be used for a purpose not within the
stated purposes previously understood by the individual.
7. Responsibilities. The head of each Federal agency
is responsible for:
a. establishing the necessary framework of procedures
including appropriate reviews and controls, that will assure
compliance with the policies stated in this circular; and
b. certifying that appropriate privacy safeguards
as outlined in this circular have been incorporated into
plans for new systems or the modification of existing
systems utilized for personal data record keeping before
action is taken to acquire ADP resources. Such certifica-
tion should be backed by appropriate documentation.
8. Inquires. Further information concerning this cir-
cular may be obtained by contacting:
General Services Administration (AMD)
Washington, DC 20405
Telephone: IDS 183-38955
FTS 202-343-8955
ARTHUR F. SAMPSON
ADMINISTRATOR OF GENERAL SERVICES
DRAFT
Mr. B-
ad talk w/Doug-
we might put out
Proc. - would ash for
could we put an
accepted by time.
DEBALO B. FORD LIBRARY
Hold for achen
by M.B. - Doug bacbarthis M.to
get
MEMORANDUM
DOMESTIC COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHT OF PRIVACY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20504
September 10, 1974
To:
Philip W. Buchen
From:
Douglas W. Metz
Subject: Consumer Code of Fair Information Practices
The Office of Consumer Affairs is very close to obtaining significant
industry commitments to the proposed code. The attached draft has
been hammered out by representatives of the retail, financial, credit,
and insurance industry. The prospects appear good of reaching an
agreement on a final draft within the next week.
Several chief executives have indicated that the prospect of
subscribing to the "President's Code" is an important consideration
in assuring industry commitments.
I pose the appropriateness of tying this effort with the President.
In my judgment the minimum acceptable position would be to have
some high-level Federal backing such as the Domestic Council
Committee or the Office of Consumer Affairs.
I will call to get your reaction within a day or two.
Attachment
DWM/crs
FORD it LIBRARY
THE PRESIDENT'S
FAIR INFORMATION USER CODE
This organization subscribes to the PRESIDENT'S FAIR
INFORMATION USER CODE and pledges itself to be responsive
to the following RIGHTS OF PRIVACY OF CONSUMERS:
THE RIGHT TO KNOW
That inquiries about the consumer may be made
to obtain or verify information concerning
the consumer.
What general business uses, other than internal
business uses, may be made of. the information
obtained.
When a benefit is denied, in whole or in part
as a result of information received from a
credit reporting agency, that the information
may be challenged and corrected with the
credit reporting agency if incorrect.
Upon request, the nature of information obtained
which was relied upon for denial of a benefit.
THE RIGHT TO BE PROTECTED
From the solicitation or dissemination of infor-
mation about the consumer not related to
legitimate business purposes.
By having recorded information about the consumer
reasonably secured against unauthorized access.
Signature
Date
GERALD FORD CIERAT
September 17, 1974
Privacy
Dear Mr. Cohressen:
Thank you very much for your letter of
September 4th. It was very kind of you
to offer congratulations.
As you know, I will not remain the Executive
Director of the Privacy Committee. Temporarily
Mr. Douglas Mets is the Acting Director.
Perhaps it would be best for you to talk with
Mr. Mets regarding your interest in consulting
in this area.
Sincerely,
Philip W. Buchen
Counsel to the President
Mr. John J. Cohressen
Attorney at Law
Suite 220
1801 K Street, N. W.
Washington, D. C. 20006
FORD is LIBRARY 03RALD
JOHN J. COHRSSEN
ATTORNEY AT LAW
SUITE 220. 1801 K STREET. N. W. - WASHINGTON. D. C. 20006
(202) 467-6520
September 4, 1974
Mr. Philip W. Buchen
Counsel to the President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. Buchen:
I would like to congratulate you on your recent appointment
and to wish you much success. I would also like to reaffirm
my interest in consulting assistance as I indicated when we
spoke regarding the Domestic Council Committee on the
Right of Privacy.
Sincerely,
John J.Cohosen
FORD 8789 LIBRAN
September 18, 1974
Dear Ms. Shientag:
Confirming our telephone conversation of September 10th
I did forward your request for a meeting to Mr. Douglas
Mets, Acting Executive Director of the Demestic Council
Committee on the Right of Privacy, and I hope you were
able to exchange views with him.
We greatly appreciated your letter and your interest in
the whole problem of privacy.
All good vishes.
Most sincerely yours,
Jay French
Assistant Counsel
Ms. Florence Perlow Shientag
One East 57th Street
New York, New York 10022
FORD : LIBRARY GERALD
copy of letter from Mr.
LAW OFFICES
Buchen metz CABLE m 9-18-74 ailer "APPELATE M.Y." to Long
FLORENCE PERLOW SHIENTAG
ONE EAST 57TH ST., NEW YORK. N.Y. 10022
MU 8-8880
UN 1-8800
September 4th, 1974.
Hon. Philip Buchen,
Counsel to the President,
The White House,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Buchen:
Because of your direction of the
President's Committee on Privacy, you may be in-
terested in my article on Wiretapping enclosed.
As a member of the National Commission
on Wiretapping, I shall be in Washington on September
16th and 17th, sitting on the Commission hearings in
the Rayburn Building.
Since you and I have a common interest
in the area of privacy, it would give me pleasure to
come in to see you for a brief exchange of views on
September 16th or 17th.
Any report of your Committee, mean-
while, would be of great interest to me.
I look forward to meeting you while
I am in Washington. Please let me hear from you.
With all good wishes, I am,
Sincerely,
Encl.
Threa Shientag
FORDO is G7V839 LIBRARY
Privacy
September 24, 1974
Cunte
Dear Mr. Terry:
Thank you for your letter of September 16, 1974
regarding the subject of privacy. I am forwarding
your letter to Mr. Mets since he is now the Acting
Director of the Committee on Privacy.
Your inquiry is approciated.
Most sincerely yours,
Philip W. Buchen
Counsel to the President
Mr. Herbert A. Terry
Indiana University
Department of Telecommunications
Radio - TV Center
Bicomington, Indiana 47401
CC: Mr. Douglas Mets
Domestic Council Committee on the Right of Privacy
FORD & 076830 LIBRARY
September 28, 1974
To:
Bill Timmons
From: Phil Buchen
I agree with your suggestions.
Would like to add a suggestion
that Douglas Metz, Acting Executive
Director of the Committee on
Privacy be included in any
Presidential meeting.
LIBRARY GERALD ? FORD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Mr. Buchen agrees with
Mr. Timinors suggestions.
He would like to add
a suggestion that Douglas
Metz, acting Executive Director
of the Committee on Privacy
be included in any
Presidential meeting
WASHINGTON
September 27, 1974
Dear Lowell:
Thank you for your September 23 letter concerning
our mutual interest in protecting the right of
taxpayers to privacy and confidentiality regard-
ing their tax affairs.
I will welcome an opportunity to sit down with
you and discuss this vital matter. Accordingly,
I have asked my staff to set up a meeting at a
mutually convenient time. You will hear further
at an early date.
I am sending a similar letter to Congressman
Jerry Litton.
With warmest personal regards,
Sincerely,
The Honorable Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.
United States Senate
Washington, D.C.
20510
THE WHILE
WASHINGTON
September 27, 1974
Dear Jerry:
Thank you for your September 23 letter concerning
our mutual interest in protecting the right of
taxpayers to privacy and confidentiality regard-
ing their tax affairs.
I will welcome an opportunity to sit down with
you and discuss this vital matter. Accordingly,
I have asked my staff to set up a meeting at a
mutually convenient time. You will hear further
at an early date.
I am sending a similar letter to Senator Lowell
Weicker.
With warmest personal regards,
Sincerely,
The Honorable Jerry Litton
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
20515
1020
LIBRAR
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 27, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
WILLIAM E. TIMMONS
BI
SUBJECT:
Letter from Senator Weicker and
Congressman Jerry Litton requesting
a meeting to discuss confidentiality of
citizens' income tax returns.
In their letter, both of the Members have indicated their concern
that the Administration's action in this area is not sufficiently
far-reaching. Both have introduced bills which they believe meet
the needs in a more comprehensive manner. Consequently, they
wish to meet and discuss the matter with you.
I believe it would be worthwhile for you to meet with them. Such
a meeting may forestall protracted debate of the issue when it is
before both Chambers. In the attached suggested reply, for your
signature, you have committed yourself to a meeting at a mutually
acceptable time.
UNITED STATES SENATE
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20510
LOWELL P. WEICKER, JR.
CONNECTICUT
September 23, 1974
The Honorable Gerald R. Ford
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. President:
We are writing with regard to our mutual concern
for the confidentiality of tax returns and in the
hope that a common agreement can be reached to
safeguard confidentiality.
In your press conference of September 16th, in
response to a question pertaining to your
Administration's proposal to restrict accessi-
bility of tax returns, you stated that citizens'
tax returns would be "most judiciously handled."
After careful analysis of the Administration's
bill, we are compelled to state that in our
judgment it does not accomplish its purpose.
While we have no doubt that the present Administra-
tion will handle judiciously the tax returns of
our citizens, we note that today's Executive Order
becomes tomorrow's history. Presidential
accessibility with appropriate safeguards is
better defined by statute than left to the un-
predictable course of Executive Order easily
changed or revoked at a future date.
FORD
CERALD
LIBRARY
Page Two
To this end we introduced legislation on September
11, 1974 (later the same day, the Administration's
bill was forwarded to the House and Senate) clearly
limiting accessibility to returns, and reflecting
the conviction that tax returns are for one purpose
only, just assessment for taxation. Any other use
is an abhorrent abuse of governmental power.
You have pledged an open-door policy in your
Administration and you have given assurances of
your intention to work with Congress with regard
to public issues. We welcome and endorse that
policy and it is in that spirit that we respect-
fully request the opportunity to meet with you
to voice directly what we consider to be our
legitimate concerns inasmuch as we are seeking
the same goals: the remedying of past abuses by
effective safeguards in the future. We believe
that together we can come to an agreement which
will more effectively attain our common purpose.
Sincerely yours,
Jerry Litton, M.C.
Lowell We Weicker, Jr., U.S.S.
FORD
LIBRARY